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Tech Career Outlook for Hong Kong 2021

Xccelerate HK

Hong Kong has been a hub for trade and finance since the early 1800s. As the years passed, the city of Hong Kong soon rose to be the biggest financial hub of Asia and acts as a global middleman. Hong Kong is among the top ten financial centers; the other being London, New York, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Singapore.

Even the coronavirus pandemic of 2020 could not stop Hong Kong in its tracks from being one of the top innovation sectors in tech and finance. The Global Innovation Index that evaluated 129 economies on 80 parameters listed Hong Kong in 13th place in 2020, jumping from 14th place in 2019. Hence, job opportunities in Hong Kong, especially in the tech sector is promising in 2021 as well. The demand for IT jobs in HK has been growing quite rapidly over the years.

Hong Kong Tech Career

Hong Kong as a Pathway to Global Markets

For many, technology and e-commerce corporations like Tencent, Alibaba, and Huawei, Hong Kong makes for an excellent gateway into the international markets. In addition to technology and retail, Hong Kong is a chief town and a concrete jungle filled with investment banking companies.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also been a game-changer for the tech career landscape of Hong Kong. Hong Kong saw the first recession in a decade in 2019. However, that did not stop its prosperity. Sectors like e-commerce, SaaS solutions, and other technology sectors expanded tremendously.

Although a part of China, many Hong Kong-based startups were able to expand their operations to international markets due to fewer restrictions and more opportunities. Niches like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR) are seeing a significant boost. In addition, there are many startup jobs in HK as the work culture has started to evolve in the city within the IT sector.

The Requirement of a Highly Skilled Workforce in Tech

The sudden shift towards a work from home culture and a spine in niches such as cloud computing, full-stack developing, Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions, data analytics, and more have created a supply and demand gap of the skilled and specialised workforce.

On the one hand, the current socio-economic situation in China and Hong Kong, along with the impact of the coronavirus outbreak put many people off their jobs. On the other hand, there are more job opportunities in the world of technology more than ever. Such a transformation can be attributed to increased automation, urbanisation, and globalisation of workflows, processes, and companies.

Sectors like robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), cloud services, Software as a Service (SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS) will be predominant in creating job opportunities and employment.

Therefore, the future of a career in tech seems to be very vibrant in Hong Kong in 2021. Unfortunately, not everybody has the required skill set to make their career in tech. Therefore, taking up tech courses in Hong Kong to upskill yourself for a successful tech career is the best way to get started.

Here are some of the best tech careers to watch out for in Hong Kong 2021!

  1. Data Science
  2. Machine Learning
  3. User Experience Design (UX) and User Interface Design (UI)
  4. Blockchain
  5. FinTech
  6. Web Development
  7. Growth Hacking
  8. Cybersecurity
  9. Product Management
  10. Digital Marketing
  11. Game Development
  12. App Development

Read Also: Which Tech Career Is Right for Me?


Data Science Career Hong Kong

1. A Career in Data Science

Data science is about studying and managing data. It involves the following:

  • Collecting data
  • Recording data
  • Storing data
  • Analysing data
  • Organising data
  • Extrapolating data

There are some confusions for data science but the purpose of all of these processes and more in data science is to extract useful and impactful information that can be used to make data-driven, low-risk, and well-informed decisions to meet the business goals and profit targets of the company. As a data scientist, you would deal with both structured and unstructured data.

The data science and data analytics industry in Hong Kong is growing at a rapid pace as well as globally. It is being used in several industries including:

  • Healthcare
  • Banking
  • FinTech
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Artificial Intelligence

For example, doctors in the healthcare industry can predict what diseases a patient could acquire in the future using the patient's past data. This is called predictive modeling.

In the financial sector, banks and other financial institutes can manage their resources efficiently by relying on decisions backed by quantitative data. Companies, like Tesla Motors, are leveraging data science to improve the self-driving capabilities of cars.

A data scientist goes through the following processes in their workflow:

  1. Defining the challenge
  2. Obtaining the data
  3. Cleaning the data
  4. Analyse the data
  5. Model the data
  6. Visualising the data

As a data scientist, you would have to be proficient in relevant programming languages. Below is a list of in-demand programming languages for a data scientist:

Python is one of the fastest-growing programming languages and is also extremely powerful. Therefore, it is one of the ideal programming languages to learn if you are a fresher or if you are looking for a career shift. To learn data science using Python, check out our data science course in Hong Kong. Xccelerate also offers a python course that will equip you with handling data more efficiently.

Data scientists also receive a handsome remuneration for their work. The average data scientist's salary is HKD 400,200 in Hong Kong.

Read our blog for an in-depth analysis of data scientist salary in Hong Kong. Other skills that are expected from a data scientist are:

  • Strategic thinking
  • Analytical thinking
  • Business writing
  • Excellent communication

Some of the companies you can apply for as a data scientist in Hong Kong are:

  • Alibaba Group
  • Google
  • Amazon
  • Cisco
  • Apple

However, since data science is extremely vast, it is impractical for a single person to handle all aspects of it in a company. Hence, data science can be further broken down into three streams:

  1. Data Analyst
  2. Data Scientist
  3. Data Engineer

What Does a Data Analyst Do?

There is a difference between data analyst and data science. The role of a data analyst, as the name suggests, is highly analytical. A data analyst would look into the client’s or the company’s data to accurately define the problem that is stunting their growth and come with a plan of action to overcome those challenges. To create a plan of action, the data analyst should be well-versed with collecting and segregating large amounts of data from several sources, like remote databases, cloud servers, backups and more. Then, the data analyst should structure the obtained data, because most of the time, the data that is acquired could be extremely unorganized.

Finally, the plan of action should be communicated to the rest of the team by making charts and reports, which can be easily visualized.

What Does a Data Scientist Do?

The role of a data scientist in Hong Kong is essentially an extension of that of a data analyst. That means a data scientist carries forward what a data analyst hands over. A data scientist in startups, small and medium businesses, also puts on the hat of a data analyst. Once the preliminary steps of project planning, data cleaning and segregation is done, a data scientist would build automation models or Machine Learning (ML) models. This involves performing tests, coding, debugging and more.

What Does a Data Engineer Do?

While the jobs of data analysts and data scientists overlap considerably, the role of a data engineer is a little more distinct. Unlike data analysts and scientists, data engineers do not deal largely with pre-existing data. When working in a startup or a large company, there are innumerable sources of data that are often not exploited. Data engineers help with pin-pointing these useful data sources and extracting new data sets from them that could potentially benefit the company or a particular product of the company. Certainly, such a process cannot be done manually as it is highly inefficient. Hence, data engineers write scripts that automate these processes in languages like Python. Xccelerate offers a part-time data engineering course covering areas around computer science principles in Python to database architecture in SQL.

Average Salary Breakdown for Career in Data Science in Hong Kong


Role

Average Salary
in Hong Kong

Entry-Level
Data Analyst

HKD 221,919

Mid-Career
Data Analyst

HKD 268,200

Late Career
Data Analyst

HKD 374,000

Entry-Level
Data Scientist

HKD 314,023

Early Career
Data Scientist

HKD 394,840

Mid-Career
Data Scientist

HKD 489,796

Data Engineer

HKD 387,555

Xccelerate offers full-time data science immersive course for career switch and part-time data science course for upskilling. Our Data Science course syllabus is specifically designed for those wanting to step into this industry.


Read Also: 2021 Career Guide: Data Science & Machine Learning in Hong Kong


Machine Learning Career in Hong Kong

2. A Career in Machine Learning

Machine Learning (ML) is, in a way, an extension of data science. Companies all over the world strive for more and more data. We deal with piles of data in our everyday lives as well in the form of pictures, videos, spreadsheets, text messages, and so much more. It is an inextricable mix of structured and unstructured data. Traditionally, companies have obtained and analysed data piece by piece in their own time. However, the volume of data is rapidly surpassing the ability of humans to make sense of it in real-time. Nevertheless, data volume matters for various reasons. Hence, if you are working as a data analyst or data scientist in a large corporation like Google, it is impractical to process all of the incoming data manually.

Therefore, data scientists and developers work together to create Machine Learning algorithms that are capable of deriving meaningful insights from unstructured and structured data. Essentially, these ML algorithms learn from the data to better themselves and make themselves faster with more data, and continuously adapt to a shifting landscape just like the human mind! Careers in Machine Learning are just beginning to take-off. As a result, there is more demand than supply, making it easier for you to make your way. Moreover, there is no crystal-clear information as to what kind of educational background a person should have to start off in Machine Learning. This makes the career in ML a great pick for those who want a change of field, looking for a career shift, or freshers who are still exploring their interests. So, no matter who or what you are, you can get started effortlessly and fruitfully by taking up a Machine Learning (ML) course in Hong Kong, Asia’s biggest financial and technology hub! The average salary of a Machine Learning engineer is HKD 374,500 in Hong Kong.

Although the required educational background is not clearly defined for an ML engineer, you should possess certain skills that are relevant to the job. Some of them are:

  • Programming Languages (Python, SQL, etc.)
  • Analytical thinking
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Strategic thinking

Other skills that will be advantageous for a career in Machine Learning are a specialisation in computer science, statistics, or mathematics. Some companies that are actively hiring ML engineers in 2021 in Hong Kong are:

  • Amazon
  • JP Morgan
  • Gini
  • Adecco
  • Michael Page

The average remuneration breakdown for a career in Machine Learning in Hong Kong is as follows:


Role

Average Salary
in Hong Kong

Entry-Level Machine
Learning Engineer

HKD 312,000

Early Career Machine
Learning Engineer

HKD 391,000

Deep Learning Engineer

HKD 228,532

Xccelerate offers a full-time machine learning course in Hong Kong for career switch and part-time machine learning course for upskilling. Our Machine Learning bootcamp is specifically designed for those wanting to step into this industry.


Read Also: 2021 Career Guide: Data Science & Machine Learning in Hong Kong


UI and UX Design Hong Kong

3. A Career in UI and UX Design

Often used together, UI design and UX design are two very different fields.

  • UI stands for “User Interface”
  • UX stands for “User Experience” Both UI design and UX design are disciplines within the design. Although they are related to one another, they are worlds apart in terms of profession. The demand for UI and UX designer in Hong Kong is rising sharply - there are lots of UX designer jobs and UI designer job opportunities in Hong Kong.

UI Design

The profession of UI design is very creative-oriented. It involves the creation of digital elements that are not just captivating to the eyes of the audience but are also memorable and meaningful.

As creative as it may be UI design is not just about making things look pretty. As a User Interface (UI) designer, your job is also to keep in mind the company’s audience. Having a background in an arts subject like graphic design and some relevant experience through personal projects, internships, ui courses or professional work experience is an added advantage to speed up your climb to the top in this career. The user Interface design has the potential to make or break an entire organisation. Something as small as changing the colour of a button from blue to red can increase profits by two times! You should also have sound knowledge of the kind of picture to include in your designs. Incorporating a powerful image in your design can evoke strong emotions in your audiences that can potentially strengthen their bond with the company, app, or website.

As competition intensifies and companies strive to stand out more than ever, the importance of UI design is being felt more, thus increasing the market demand for UI designers HK and UI designer jobs. Therefore, now is the right time for you to make your career in UI design through a UI design course in Hong Kong.

The expected salary for a UI designer is HKD 331,274 in Hong Kong on average. As a UI designer, you should possess the following skills:

  • Design thinking
  • Excellent verbal communication
  • Analytical thinking
  • Impeccable visual communication

Below is a list of companies in Hong Kong that are actively hiring UI designers.

  • TEKsystems Hong Kong
  • HSBC
  • Protiviti Hong Kong
  • Hit Fintech Solutions Limited
  • Oliver James

UX Design

The term "User Experience Design" was coined by Donald Norman in the 1990s while working for Apple. In the words of Donald Norman, "I thought human interface and usability were too narrow. I wanted to cover all aspects of the person's experience with the system, including industrial design graphics, the interface, the physical interaction, and the manual."

UX design is about:

  • What product is being used?
  • Where is the product being used?
  • Why is the product being used?
  • When will the product be used?
  • How would the product be used?
  • Who will use the product?

By answering these questions, a successful UX designer can come up with the variables that dictate how a user is going to feel when using the company's product. Then, the UX designer can make changes to the product's design accordingly to refine it such that it suits the users better. In other words, the UX designer will understand the needs and wants of a user pertaining to a particular product and come up with solutions through an iterative process such that using the product becomes more enjoyable and easier for the end-user.

One of the primary job roles of a UX designer is strategising how the users should interact with the content that is produced by the company on the web. Another large task of a UX designer is wireframing and prototyping a website or application. This involves figuring out what design structure works the best so that the users have a seamless and clear idea of how to navigate and use the product. UX designer's job is not a one-time task. As a UX designer, your job is to constantly keep track of the user feedback and analytics and make corresponding alterations to the product. This is essential because what works one day may not work well after one year due to changing trends and shifting landscapes in the tech world.

Due to the rapid emergence of tech companies across the world, UX designers are in demand in Hong Kong. So, if you are somebody who likes to work with a mix of creativity and technicality, then dive into this career by taking up a UX design course in Hong Kong. Once you learn UX design and apply for jobs, you can expect an average salary of HKD 315,712 in Hong Kong.

As a UX designer, you should learn the following skills:

  • Wireframing and prototyping
  • Coding
  • Visual communication
  • Strategic thinking
  • Design thinking

Some companies hiring UX designers in Hong Kong are:

  • Protiviti Hong Kong
  • HSBC
  • Sun Life
  • Atom International Technology Limited
  • Accenture

Average Salary Breakdown for Career in UI and UX Design in Hong Kong


Role

Average Salary
in Hong Kong

User Interface
(UI) Designer

HKD 331,274

Early Career User
Experience (UX) Designer

HKD 337,483

Early Career Full-Stack User
Experience (UX) Designer

HKD 319,500

Mid-Career Full-Stack
User Experience (UX) Designer

HKD 360,000

Late Career Full-Stack
User Experience (UX) Designer

HKD 490,000

Xccelerate offers a full-stack ux design bootcamp for career switch, part-time ux design course and part-time ui design course for upskilling.


Read Also: 2021 Career Guide: UX Design in Hong Kong


Blockchain Career in Hong Kong

4. A Career in Blockchain

The blockchain is essentially a global online database of information that can be accessed by anyone and anytime with an internet connection. Traditionally, databases have always been owned by private and government bodies like banks and tech companies. Blockchain, on the other hand, puts the power in the hands of the masses. Hence, it has the following advantages:

  • A single entity cannot profit off of others losses
  • Information is distributed and decentralised
  • Frauds and forgery are nearly impossible
  • No single ownership
  • Information is secure

Blockchain is growing rapidly. Just over 10 years ago, blockchain was unheard of by the majority of the population. Now, startups and huge enterprises are going neck to neck in making their place here. Blockchain is a huge realm in itself. Below are some career opportunities in the blockchain sector:

  • Blockchain Developer
  • Blockchain Solution Architect
  • Blockchain Project Manager
  • Blockchain UX Designer
  • Blockchain Legal Consultant

Hong Kong is one of the largest financial hubs in the world and is the largest financial hub in Asia. It is home to the most elite fintech companies that leverage the use of blockchain technology. More and more blockchain opportunities in Hong Kong are opening up.

So, learn blockchain principles today with Xccelerate and be career-ready tomorrow!

Below is a breakdown of the average blockchain salary in Hong Kong for different roles.


Role

Average Salary
in Hong Kong

Blockchain Developer

HKD 508,000

Blockchain Solution
Architect

HKD 570,000

Blockchain UX Designer

HKD 316,000

Blockchain Legal Consultant

HKD 721,500

To have a successful career in blockchain in Hong Kong, you should master the following skills:

  • Knowledge of data structures and algorithms
  • Web development
  • Basic cryptography
  • Programming
  • Strategic thinking

Some companies that are actively hiring people in the blockchain fields in Hong Kong are:

  • Blockchain Solutions
  • Accenture
  • Crypto.com
  • Pinpoint Asia Limited
  • BAH Partners

FinTech career in Hong Kong

5. A Career in FinTech

If you have been using your phone to pay your bills, transfer money to friends, or simply check your bank accounts online, then you are already in the fintech loop! FinTech is short for "Financial Technology." As simple as it may sound, in reality, fintech encompasses an expansive range of products, business models, technologies, and processes that are changing the face of the modern world of finance and financial services.

Just like blockchain, fintech is not a single-person job role. There are several career paths within the fintech industry and the fintech jobs in Hong Kong is growing, such as:

  • Data scientists
  • Web developers
  • ML engineers
  • Risk managers

If you learn FinTech, you can also work in the blockchain sectors as the two are closely related. As a matter of fact, the famous cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, is an application of blockchain technology in the fintech industry! Check out our FinTech course in Hong Kong and enroll today.

Here is a breakdown of annual average salaries in Hong Kong for different roles in the FinTech industry.


Role

Average Salary
in Hong Kong

Data Scientist

HKD 411,700

Web Developer

HKD 207,000

ML Engineer

HKD 374,500

Risk Manager

HKD 467,000

The skills required to work in the fintech industry are:

  • Analytical thinking
  • Strategic thinking
  • Excellent communication
  • Risk management
  • Programming

Some of the most significant companies offering fintech jobs in Hong Kong are:

  • Robert Walters
  • Michael Page
  • Bank of China
  • JPMorgan Chase Bank
  • Argyll Scott

Web Development Career Hong Kong

6. A Career in Web Development

Web development is a booming career option for individuals. As more and more startups arise in this new "post-COVID" world, the demand for websites, web apps, mobile apps, Software as a Service (SaaS) tools, and other web and cloud-based solutions have spiked.

On a broad spectrum, web developers can be classified into two:

  • Front-end developers
  • Back-end developers

Front-End Developers

Front-end developers are people who develop digital products keeping the users in mind. They work together with UI and UX designers to get things flowing smoothly.

Back-End Developers

Back-end developers are people who develop digital products, like websites or apps, keeping the company in mind. While front-end developers focus on usability, back-end developers focus on performance. They work with data scientists and front-end developers to get the job done.

Full-Stack Developers

There is another type called “full-stack developers”. Full-stack developers are those who wear both hats. They do the job of both a front-end developer and a back-end developer.

You can also find dedicated full-stack web development courses in Hong Kong.

Web developers in HK and around the world are paid quite well. The average web developers salary is HKD 245,753 in Hong Kong. So, learn web development today and get recruited by leading companies in Hong Kong.

The essential skills for a web developer are:

  • Programming skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Testing and debugging skills
  • Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
  • Design thinking

Some companies hiring web developers in Hong Kong are:

  • Cognizant Technology Solutions
  • Jou Sun
  • STA Pacific
  • Michael Page
  • Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited

Read our Software Engineering in Hong Kong career guide to learn more about the differences, job roles, responsibilities, and remuneration of front-end developers, back-end developers, and full-stack developers. Xccelerate offers a full-time web-development bootcamp focusing on career-switch and part-time web development course for upskilling.


Read Also: 2021 Career Guide: Software Engineering in Hong Kong


Average Salary Breakdown for Career in Web Development in Hong Kong


Role

Average Salary
in Hong Kong

Entry Level Web
Developer

HKD 191,846

Early Career Web
Developer

HKD 244,617

Mid-Career Web
Developer

HKD 342,000

Growth Hacking Career Hong Kong

7. A career in Growth Hacking

Growth hacking is a marketing tactic that accelerates company’s growth through data-driven insights, full-funnel marketing, and rapid experimentation. If the company is small and does not have the financial capabilities to compete on par with the marketing teams of large competitors, then growth hacking is the way to go. Growth hacking can also be leveraged by large companies to fuel their expansion and to scale up processes faster than ever before! Since growth hacking is a cost-effective way to market a brand or a product and also yields greater results, it is being adopted far and wide. Growth hacking and digital marketing are often used synonymously in tech hubs like Hong Kong. A growth hacker's salary in Hong Kong is HKD 394,000 approximately per year.

As a growth hacker, you should be proficient at:

  • A/B testing
  • Analytical thinking
  • Digital marketing
  • Strategic thinking
  • Communication

Some actively recruiting companies in this field are:

  • Galton Voysey
  • Great Union Human Capital Limited
  • Undone
  • Zenyum
  • DeepWork Technologies

Xccelerate offers part-time growth hacking course covering the essentials and best practice of effective data-driven growth hacking. Check out our Growth Hacking in Hong Kong career guide to learn more about career paths, salaries, required hard skills and soft skills.

Cybersecurity Career in Hong Kong

8. A Career in Cybersecurity

The world is transitioning more and more into the digital age. Transactions, data storage, workflows, collaborations, meetings, conversations and so much more are becoming increasingly digital. Therefore, cybersecurity is more important than ever. Cybersecurity is an industry by itself. Some career paths in cybersecurity industry are:

  • Systems engineer
  • Systems administrator
  • Web developer
  • Security engineer
  • Security analyst
  • Penetration tester
  • Cybersecurity consultant

The average salaries for the different roles in Hong Kong are:


Role

Average Salary
in Hong Kong

Systems Engineer

HKD 287,560

Systems Administrator

HKD 287,900

Web Developer

HKD 248,100

Security Engineer

HKD 430,000

Security Analyst

HKD 330,000

Penetration Tester

HKD 350,353

Cybersecurity Consultant

HKD 576,100

To work in the cybersecurity industry, you require:

  • Excellent communication skills
  • Programming knowledge
  • Strategic thinking skills
  • Analytical thinking skills
  • Interpersonal skills

Below are some actively hiring companies for cybersecurity roles:

  • CYR – Cyber Risk
  • Michael Page
  • Hudson Hong Kong
  • Macroview Telecom Limited
  • TEKsystems Hong Kong

Product Management Career in Hong Kong

9. A career in Product Management

For a company to stand out from the crowd and succeed amidst cut-throat competition, it should produce great products. Therefore, companies employ product managers who lead large teams into creating and maintaining products. There are certain tech skills for product managers and in a way they are unsung heroes of innovation. As a product manager, you should be in the loop overseeing every stage of the product life cycle starting from the ideation of the product to its retirement from the market!

Being one of the leading spots of innovation, companies in Hong Kong place immense value in product managers. As a Product Manager in Hong Kong, you can expect an average salary of HKD 535,000 in Hong Kong annually. Learn product management at Xccelerate Hong Kong from our experts today and get started as a Product Manager.

The top skills of a product manager are:

  • Excellent communication
  • Customer relationship management
  • Analytical thinking
  • Strategic thinking
  • Time management

Some companies hiring product managers in Hing Kong are:

  • CITI
  • Danaher
  • DHL Express
  • Atrium HR Consulting
  • JobLeads

Role

Average Salary
in Hong Kong

Early Career
Product Manager

HKD 518,000

Mid-Career
Product Manager

HKD 554,285

Late-Career
Product Manager

HKD 600,000

Digital Marketing Career Hong Kong

10. A career in Digital Marketing

The world is going digital, and that includes everything from currency to media and, of course, marketing strategies! Furthermore, thanks to Hong Kong’s staggeringly high internet penetration rate, digital marketing careers are soaring higher than ever before! As a digital marketer, you would typically kick start your career by making simple special media plans, calendars, content and strategies. Then you would move on to creating bigger campaigns on various social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, and pay-per-click (PPC) ads on search engines like Google. In Hong Kong, a digital marketeer's salary is HKD 329,000 annually in Hong Kong.

The top skills of a digital marketer are:

  • Impeccable writing skills
  • Excellent editing skills
  • Analytical thinking
  • Strategic thinking
  • Creative thinking

Some companies in Hong Kong that are hiring in Digital Marketing department are:

  • Salt
  • Dropcases Limited
  • Randstad Hong Kong
  • Capco
  • HSBC

Here is a breakdown of salaries based on role:


Role

Average Salary
in Hong Kong

Early-Career Digital
Marketing Specialist

HKD 251,914

Mid-Career Digital
Marketing Specialist

HKD 370,395

Early Career Digital
Marketing Manager

HKD 373,431

Mid-Career Digital
Marketing Manager

HKD 432,000

Late Career Digital
Marketing Manager

HKD 614,600

Xccelerate offers part-time digital marketing course in Hong Kong covering the concepts of latest technologies and digital tools that will help you accelerate and push forward for a much better understanding and performance in the marketing field. Check out our Digital Marketing in Hong Kong career guide to learn more about digital vs traditional marketing, digital marketing outlook, career paths and salaries.

Game Development Hong Kong

11. A career in Game Development

Everybody loves video games! But what about making them? Is it a good career choice? Well, as per statistics, there are over 2.7 billion gamers worldwide and the gaming market's worth is USD 160 billion approximately! Therefore, with almost 40% of the world population involved in gaming, it is safe to say that a technology and innovation hub, like Hong Kong, is the best place to get started in game development. Unity - game development engine has risen to the pinnacle of game development for both 3D and 2D games over the years.

Game development and game design are two terms that are often used interchangeably. Although on a microscopic level, they are different, on a broader spectrum they are very much alike. As a game developer, you will be tasked with coming up with ideas and designing algorithms of a new game or a new version of an existing game. Whatever may be the case, as a game developer, you should be very adept at programming languages like C#. In the mega-city of Hong Kong, a game developer’s salary is HKD 285,800 annually.

The top skills of a game developer are:

  • Programming skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Testing and debugging skills
  • Strategic thinking
  • Design thinking

Some companies hiring a game developer in Hing Kong are:

  • Hidden Boss
  • Apps1010
  • Mad Head App Limited
  • Besteam Personnel Consultancy Limited
  • Global Executive Consultants

Here is a breakdown of salaries based on role:


Role

Average Salary
in Hong Kong

Early-Career
Game Designer

HKD 297,000

Mid-Career
Game Developer

HKD 386,400

Late Career
Game Developer

HKD 511,200

App Development Career in Hong Kong

12. A career in App Development

With the widespread use of smartphones and easy access to fast internet, the world of consumerism is becoming increasingly mobile. From purchasing daily groceries and home furniture to buying houses and booking a vacation, everything can be done using a smartphone. Furthermore, the rapid upsurge of startups in financial hubs like Hong Kong call for more hands-on deck to develop mobile-compatible platforms. Therefore, many brands and companies worldwide are turning to app developers to help them stand out from the competition. Flutter, a popular framework for developing apps, is an open-source cross-platform framework allowing developers to use single codebase for IOS, Android and web apps.

The two major platforms for developing apps are iOS and Android. As an app developer, you can choose to be proficient at both or adept at either one of them. Since, Android has a larger market and lower price to get started, you might consider starting with that. Nevertheless, iOS app development may fetch you a higher pay and a more streamlined workflow. Being an app developer in Hong Kong, you can expect your annual salary to be in the ballpark of HKD 300,000.

The top skills of an app developer are:

  • Programming skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Testing and debugging skills
  • Strategic thinking
  • Design thinking

Some companies hiring app developers in Hong Kong are:

  • CKC Solutions Limited
  • HyperAir Incorporation Limited
  • Infosys Technologies Ltd
  • Pinpoint Asia
  • Ernst & Young

Here is a breakdown of salaries based on different stages of career and development platform:


Role

Average Salary
in Hong Kong

Early-Career
iOS Developer

HKD 240,000

Mid-Career
iOS Developer

HKD 339,000

Early Career
Android Developer

HKD 258,000

Mid-Career
Android Developer

HKD 300,000

Conclusion

A career in tech entails lifelong learning. Along with relevant skills, it is essential for you to have the right proactive attitude towards the work you are passionate about. The Hong Kong tech market outlook is one of the best in the entire world. To be a part of this growing market, enroll in tech courses in Hong Kong, and upskill yourself.

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